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Rhydian Roberts

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For his self-titled album, see Rhydian (album).

Rhydian James Roberts (born 14 February 1983), known as Rhydian, is a Welsh singer, musical theatre actor and television presenter.

Rhydian Roberts
Roberts at the Daybreak studios, August 2011
Roberts at the Daybreak studios, August 2011
Background information
Birth nameRhydian James Roberts
Also known asRhydian
Born (1983-02-14) 14 February 1983 (age 41)
OriginSennybridge, Wales, United Kingdom
GenresMusical theatre,
classical crossover, opera, Operatic pop, Wagnerian rock
Occupation(s)Singer, musical theatre actor, television presenter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2007–present
LabelsSony, Syco, Conehead
Websitewww.rhydianroberts.com

Of his five studio albums, the first went platinum, and composer Karl Jenkins co-produced his second. After forays into 1980s pop classics and Welsh songs, his fifth album release, One Day like This, returned to the "flamboyant crossover style" which established his reputation,[1] topping the UK classical album charts within one week of release in April 2014. It went on to hold the No 1 spot for 10 weeks.[2]

Rhydian has completed three solo UK tours since appearing on The X Factor.[3] His UK galas and charity appearances include the Royal Albert Hall, and he is an ambassador of The Prince's Trust.

Following his musical theatre debut in a European arena tour of The War of the Worlds - Alive on Stage!, Rhydian has toured the UK in We Will Rock You, Grease, and The Rocky Horror Show, and is currently playing Pontius Pilate in a UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar during 2015.

Early years

Born in Sennybridge, Rhydian received his early schooling in Brecon at the Pontsenni Cylch Meithrin and then Ysgol y Bannau Welsh medium school. From the age of 5, he represented both the school and Powys in the Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod, maintaining links with the Urdd whilst at Llandovery College (where he became head boy)[4] and subsequently at university. He played rugby union for the Gwernyfed rugby football club as a junior and later for his school, as well as cricket for Powys County Junior teams.[5] "My plan was to be a professional player for the Swansea Ospreys (rugby team)," he says. "From the age of ten that was all I could think about – and I wasn't interested in singing any more." He undertook a stringent exercise programme and was "a gym fanatic who could bench-press 386lbs at 16."[6] Following a gap year teaching in a small school in South Africa, Rhydian returned to Britain, winning a bursary to the Birmingham Conservatoire at University of Central England (now known as Birmingham City University).[7]

Vocal training at Birmingham Conservatoire

Recognised as "a star pupil at the Conservatoire from the very beginning," [8] Rhydian studied with Adrian Clarke and Christine Cairns. He was the first student from outside London to win the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers.[9] Other accolades included the Reginald Vincent Lieder Prize, the 2007 Mario Lanza Educational Award,[10] and the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize. He appeared in Merrily We Roll Along (Charley),[11] Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (title role),[12] and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's semi-staged Carmen (Morales).[13] Upon graduating in 2007 he auditioned for the BBC's Any Dream Will Do.[14]

Career

Concerts, galas and solo tours

Rhydian completed his first 24-date solo concert tour of the UK in 2008 and a second tour in 2013. He performed at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday concert in Hyde Park for over 30,000 people.[15] In 2009 he headlined a Liverpool Summer Pops Festival concert.[16] Between March and May 2010, Rhydian starred in three galas at London's Royal Albert Hall: the Classic FM Live concert[17] and the Classical Brits Awards, and Classic Response. He sang in the closing concert of the 2010 St David's Week Festival at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.[18] He has appeared with Cor Curiad, Flint Male Voice Choir, and the Morriston Orpheus Choir. On 1 March 2011 (St David's Day), he entertained his old high school in Llandovery during a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales[19] Seasonal appearances include Hayley Westenra's Christmas Wishes at Birmingham's Symphony Hall and concerts at the Barbican Hall and at the O2 (2010), and Bath Forum (2011). He switched on the 2009 Hull Christmas lights.

In late 2014, Rhydian embarked on his third UK concert tour, sharing the title "One Day Like This" with his hit fifth record album. He entertained in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Llandudno, and Glasgow. Further solo dates across Wales are scheduled during Spring 2015.[20]

Stage

Having made his musical theatre debut in the 2010 European tour of The War of the Worlds - Live on Stage! (Parson Nathaniel),[21] Rhydian starred in UK tours of We Will Rock You (Khashoggi, Chief of Police),[22] Grease (40th anniversary tour, playing "Teen Angel")[23] and Rocky Horror Show (Rocky).[24] Over Christmas 2014, Rhydian's portrayal of Beast in Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Royal, Windsor was acclaimed for carrying the show "rather spectacularly" with its "remarkable gravitas".[25]

Jesus Christ Superstar 2015 UK Tour

Rhydian joins a national UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as Pontius Pilate. The production, directed by Bill Kenwright and Bob Thomson, opened at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 21 January 2015.[26] Through to late July 2015, it proceeds to New Theatre (Cardiff), Bord Gáis Theatre (Dublin), Grand Opera House (Belfast), Blackpool Opera House, Royal & Derngate Theatre (Northampton), Liverpool Empire Theatre, New Victoria Theatre, (Woking), Edinburgh Playhouse, Palace Theatre (Manchester), Lyceum Theatre (Sheffield), Grand Theatre (Leeds), Milton Keynes Theatre and Bristol Hippodrome [27]

Television

In late 2011, Rhydian fronted an eight-part television entertainment series for S4C.[28] His fourth studio album was released to tie in with this TV series.

He guested on the final of the fifth series of The X Factor, and also on Charlotte Church's Christmas special.[29] During 2009 he appeared on the Children in Need charity telethon and Songs of Praise (BBC), and S4C aired his own special followed by a documentary, Rhydian, One Year On.[30]

Recordings

Rhydian's eclectic repertoire, including classics, rock, Welsh songs, pop anthems, hymns, and folk, has been demonstrated through his albums.

One Day Like This (2014)

Further information: One Day like This (album)

Within one week of release in April 2014, One Day Like This, Rhydian's fifth album, "stormed to the top of the Official Classical Album charts" and also placed at 19 in the Official Album charts.[31] The following week, it topped the Classic FM Chart.[31] In total, the album spent 10 consecutive weeks as No 1 in The Official Classical Album charts.

Funded by pledges[32] and released on 14 April 2014 through Futura Classics, One Day Like This returns to Rhydian's core repertoire, mingling expressive, lavishly produced classics with pop anthems. The star duettists include Kerry Ellis and Bonnie Tyler.[33]

Earlier albums (2008-2011)

His eponymous debut album, Rhydian, sold over 600,000 copies (2008's highest-selling album by a male newcomer)[34] and included material by Jim Steinman.[1] Among the collaborators on his second, O Fortuna (2009), co-produced by composer Karl Jenkins[35][36] were Kiri te Kanawa and Bryn Terfel. Rhydian guested on Morriston Orpheus Choir's CD To Where You Are (Sain, 2011).[37]

Two further albums[38][39] appeared in 2011: Waves, whose covers of classic 1980s pop displayed a marked shift in recording repertoire[40][41] and Caneuon Cymraeg ("Welsh Songs"), a mix of classic Welsh songs and originals, tying in with his debut television series for the Welsh-language channel S4C.

Charity concerts and appearances

Rhydian's charity work has ranged from winning the 2012 Cardiff Mile for Sport Relief in "an impressive five minutes 40 seconds"[42] to posing nude for Cosmopolitan for prostate cancer in 2010.[43][44] He opened the 2011 Gwyl Gobaith Festival at the 10th Birthday Concert of Wales Air Ambulance[45]

During 2010, Rhydian sang in Classic Response at the Royal Albert Hall and on the charity single "The Prayer,"[46] as well as at the Lord Mayor of Cardiff’s Gala Concert and Christian Aid's concert in Wales.[47] He entertained charity gala dinners for Help for Heroes[48] and for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC),[49]

Having been invited by HRH Prince Charles to become an ambassador of The Prince's Trust in 2008, Rhydian performed at the Children of Courage Awards Ceremony at Westminster Abbey.[50] The following year, he entertained the Royal Family again at "The Prince's Trust Celebrates Success" Awards.[51]

Sports events

Rhydian sang at the 2008 Welsh Grand Slam celebrations and BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year Awards. He opened the 2010 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford and the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.[52] In 2011, Rhydian opened the Carnegie Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium.[53]

The X Factor (2007)

In retrospect, Rhydian has said: "I’m very proud of what I achieved on X Factor. I’m a showman and it gave me the chance to put on a show".[41]

At audition his manifest talent, coupled with self-assurance and ambition, both awed and perplexed the judges, with his eventual mentor Dannii Minogue giving the only "no" vote.[54] Although Rhydian felt that he was portrayed as a "pantomime villain" during the live stages,[55][56] Simon Cowell praised him as "incredibly polite and respectful. He stands out because he has an incredible voice."[57] His prospects were buoyed by powerful performances of, among others, "You Raise Me Up, " and "I Vow to Thee My Country."[58] His rendition of "Somewhere" moved Minogue to tears: "I can't even speak, that was so beautiful,"[59] while Cowell acclaimed his performance of "Bridge over Troubled Water" as "bloody fantastic ... THE best performance of the competition so far."[60] Eventually Rhydian won over public opinion, and his "trademark white hair and flamboyant dress sense made him an audience favourite."[61] His showmanship[41] was evident in

He duetted in the final with Katherine Jenkins,[65] finished as runner-up, and was offered a recording contract with Sony BMG by Cowell the following day. To date Rhydian remains one of only two classical-based acts to compete in the live shows, the other being vocal troupe G4 - coincidentally, both placed second in Series 1 and 4 respectively, but outsold the eventual winners.[66] [67]

Discography

Main article: Rhydian Roberts discography

References

  1. ^ a b Apple iTunes website Accessed 21 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Rhydian Album Tops Classical Music Chart" from wn.com website. Accessed 20 April 2014
  3. ^ "Rhydian Roberts". classicfm.co.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Llandovery College Information on Rhydian'!". Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Cricket: 'My brush with Rhydian'". Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  6. ^ "Change of tune that led to fame for Rhydian Roberts," Times Online, 2 February 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2010. This article gives Rhydian's background and interest in rugby union. He is described in several blogs as the strongest Welsh bench presser during his teens.
  7. ^ "bcu.ac.uk 2".
  8. ^ By Michael Barry, Director of Theatre Studies
  9. ^ He beat 13 other 2nd-year vocal students from UK music colleges, and the judges hailed his "formidable talent" and his "immediate connection with the audience".
  10. ^ "Mario Lanza Award 2007'!". Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  11. ^ June 2004, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
  12. ^ June 2006, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham.
  13. ^ Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27 September 2005. See BBC Radio 3 website. (He had been recommended for audition to the CMBSO's's Musical Director Sakari Oramo by the Birmingham Conservatoire's Director of Theatre Studies, Michael Barry, who directed the performance.
  14. ^ He did not progress beyond bootcamp, as his voice was not deemed right for the production's pop score.
  15. ^ http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/ALWbirthday-rev.htm He performed "Music of the Night".
  16. ^ Rhydian Roberts, Only Men Aloud!, Summer Pops 2011 at Liverpool Echo Arena on Thursday 30th Jul 2009 Audience of 3,000 in the Echo Arena.
  17. ^ He sang "Myfanwy" and "Land of My Fathers" in Welsh.
  18. ^ National Eisteddfodd of Wales website. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  19. ^ Report on the Prince of Wales's website. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  20. ^ Tickets section of Rhydian Roberts official fansite. Accessed 16 March 2015.
  21. ^ War of the Worlds tour website Accessed 21 April 2014. He was hailed by composer Jeff Wayne as "an incredibly talented singer whose range and depth of voice will suit this role perfectly,"
  22. ^ Queen News. Retrieved 25 August 2010. Rhydian performed in Cardiff, Southampton and Birmingham.
  23. ^ Other guest "Teen Angels" on this tour have included Robin Cousins and Mary Byrne. See Grease website. Retrieved 31 July 2011. See also "Rhydian Roberts to Star in GREASE UK Tour," from broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 31 July 2011. Rhydian played at Blackpool, Sunderland, Liverpool, Norwich, and Edinburgh.
  24. ^ "Press release Tuesday, October 16th, 2012". TimeWarp The Official UK Rocky Horror Fan Club. Retrieved 17 October 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Paul Vale, "Beauty and the Beast", The Stage, 12 December 2014. Accessed 16 December 2014]]
  26. ^ Ben Lewis, "Rhydian Roberts, Tim Rogers and Rachel Adedeji join cast of Jesus Christ Superstar", 22 December 2014 on whatsonstage website Accessed 29 January 2014.
  27. ^ Bill Kenwright website with itinerary and booking details Accessed 29 December 2014.
  28. ^ Guests included Hayley Westenra and Claire Jones
  29. ^ They duetted on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
  30. ^ "Rhydian". S4C. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  31. ^ a b The Classic FM Chart. Accessed 28 April 2014.
  32. ^ Pledge Music website: artists page. Accessed 24 March 2014.
  33. ^ Pledge Music website: projects page Accessed 24 March 2014.
  34. ^ Upon release, the album charted at number 3, selling over 150,000 in its first two weeks and over 300,000 after four weeks to win Platinum Album status as awarded by the BPI.
  35. ^ "Exclusive: X Factor loser Rhydian set for new album.. while Leon Jackson is dumped by label". The Daily Record. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  36. ^ "Rhydian dreams of duet with Christina Aguilera". Programmes.stv.tv. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  37. ^ Rhydian performs lead vocals in "Stars" (Les Misérables), "Bui Doi" (Miss Saigon), and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Carousel).
  38. ^ For Conehead Records, to which Rhydian moved in 2010.Barber, Richard (9 May 2010). "Rhydian Roberts dumps Simon Cowell - and quits the 'Sycobubble'". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  39. ^ "Rhydian Roberts quits Simon Cowell's Syco record label". 9 May 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  40. ^ Interview in OK Magazine. Accessed 7 January 2011]
  41. ^ a b c "X-factor's Rhydian to go from Opera star to pop star," Rachel Mainwaring, Wales on Sunday, 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  42. ^ "Cardiff rises up to go the extra mile for Sport Relief 2012", Cardiff Penny Post, 26 March 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  43. ^ "Taking my kit off wasn't something I expected to do", he explained, "but as it was for a great cause I changed my mind." "Rhydian Roberts gets his bum out for Cosmo". 12 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  44. ^ "Rhydian bares his XXX factor". 9 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  45. ^ Rhydian described Wales Air Ambulance as "something close to my heart and saved the life of a neighbour of mine." "Rhydian To Sing at Wales Air Ambulance Birthday Concert" Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  46. ^ Hoyle, Antonia (27 February 2010). "Classical stars sing The Prayer in aid of Haiti quake victims". Daily Mail. London.
  47. ^ The Lord Mayor of Cardiff's Gala Concert was City Hall for Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales. Christian Aid's concert was at St David's Hall.
  48. ^ Help for Heroes, organised by Joe Calzaghe, at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, and the NSPCC gala at Cardiff City Stadium
  49. ^ "I'm delighted to take part in this event. I had a very happy childhood in Wales, but I know that not all children are so lucky," Rhydian said, continuing: "The work done by the NSPCC is critical in helping to keep children safe....I hope that by performing at this event, I can do my bit." "See Rhydian at Stadium". Retrieved 21 April 2010
  50. ^ ITV news report and Westminster Abbey press release. Accessed 21 April 2014.
  51. ^ princestrust. "Rhydian at The Prince's Trust Celebrate Success 2009". YouTube. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  52. ^ At Old Trafford he sang the anthem "Jerusalem", and for the Ryder Cup he performed "This Is The Moment" and "The Impossible Dream."
  53. ^ He sang "Abide With Me" and "God save the Queen". The Black Dyke Band also performed. "Rhydian To Entertain Fans At Wembley". Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  54. ^ Rhydian's X Factor audition. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  55. ^ "Do you want Rhyd of me?", The Sun, 9 October 2007. Video clips of him often included the "Phantom of the Opera" song playing in the background.
  56. ^ "Rhydian and the no seX factor," Daily Mail, 7 December 2007. (Retrieved 16 March 2010) reported that Sharon Osbourne initially found him arrogant, although these tensions softened in time.
  57. ^ "Rhydian and the no seX Factor'!". Daily Mail. London. 7 December 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008. Cowell continued: "there is no arrogance or conceit. He's a very good guy, and in fact I think he is very insecure."
  58. ^ "Same Difference out of X Factor". BBC News. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  59. ^ "Somewhere," on X Factor. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  60. ^ "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  61. ^ Rhydian biography from Classic FM website. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  62. ^ Judging comments after Rhydian's performance of "Phantom of the Opera." Retrieved 2010-03-16.
  63. ^ TheXFactorUK (3 November 2007). "X Factor 4, ep 13, Rhydian (itv.com/xfactor)". YouTube. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  64. ^ TheXFactorUK (17 November 2007). "X Factor 4, ep 15, Rhydian (itv.com/xfactor)". YouTube. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  65. ^ "ICWales".
  66. ^ Classical group G4 announce split
  67. ^ The X Factor: The Winner Takes It All?

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